Demand in the Context of Trafficking in the Domestic Work Sector in France

Demand in the Context of Trafficking in the Domestic Work Sector in France

Notwithstanding significant demand for domestic workers in Europe, sub-standard conditions and informal work-arrangement persist. Despite various national contexts and policies, this labour sector mostly composed of migrant women still face vulnerability to abuses, exploitation, as well as trafficking. Informal work arrangement still prevails.

A new study on trafficking in domestic work brings visibility and new data on this under-researched and hidden phenomenon happening in Europe.

This study examines the demand-side of trafficking in domestic work in France in its multiple facets (diplomatic household, domestic worker visa regime, au pair, child fostering, etc.). It is part of a series of studies conducted in 7 European countries, from southern, central and northern Europe: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands and the UK.

Looking at the demand-side of trafficking in domestic work brings back at the core of the discussion: the private nature of the employer/employee relationship which often escapes regulation, monitoring and sanctioning. Domestic work is still largely undervalued and hardly perceived as ‘real’ form of work.